The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-21

cover himself gg1rl stood in the open
ing. "Ah, here is Dessa. Dessa, this
is your guardian come and shake hands
with him."
Speechless with astonisment and vex.
alton; tho poor man gazed with horror
on the figure before him. Squat, short,
dressed Id the most uneartllly garb,
with huge gold rings dancing In her
black ears, and innumerable silver ban
giles! shining on her dusky arms, stood
the beauty of his dreams, the heiress,
his ward. He advanced feebly, with
outstretched hand. The girls face ex-
panded into broad grin, her white
even teeth cleaning like pearls in their
ebony setting" -:
.:"she is shy said Mrs Comyns, with
smile still lowering around tho cor
ners Of her mouth. "You will be bet.
ter friends by and by"
Murmuring some incoherent fare.
we'll, the general seized his hat, and
hastily made his escape from the room,
and out of the house. He strobe home
overwhelmed with the horrible discov-
cry. Modification, anger and vexed
pride surged in his heart, and he longed
at that moment for Major Days head,
that he might have relieved his over
charged feelings. He would DO laugh
ing stock Of the season. After so much
anticipation, what result! He passed
the evening alone, he could not face
the club, and sought his pillow much
depressed and annoyed man.
As he sat at breakfast the next morn
Ing, carefully studying his Bradshaw
preparatory to taking flight, Scott en-
tered, marched up to his side, and ten
dered tray with card upon it: The
general tookit up mechanically: "Miss
DAILY" He dropped the innocent
pasteboard as if it had been a scorpion.
II an engaged, Scott" he gasped,
leaning back in his chair aghast. "Say
very sorry, but
:, beg parkon, general; the young Ia
dy was most anxious to see YOU" :.
The general groaned. "Show her in. "
He turned savagely to his Bradshaw.
What was he to say to the blackmoor
when she appeared? He could not sub
NIT to be: hunted down in this way.
She must. be made to understand clear
~ that he would have nothing to do
with her, and tonight he would start
for Paris enroute for some place, the
further from England the better.
The door opened. He shut the book
nervously. The apparition of the night
before doomed in the doorway. He
turned cold; 1t was worse by daylight
than in the evening gloom. He shut
his eyes for one second, and when he
opened them again they fell on the
sweetest, fairest face it had ever been
his lot to see. Before he could recover
from his surprise the owner of the face
was speaking.
"Gen. Biddulph," she said hesita-
tingly, "please forgive me for disturb
ing you so early, but could not rest
until had seen you and apologized for
my nonsensical rudeness last night"
The general looked mystiticd. ITO
whom have [ the pleasure of speak
ing?" he asked hurriedly.
II am Dessa DAILY"
"Miss DAILY But, surely-I-that is"-
"Please let me explain ALL" said Miss
DAILY, quickly; her pretty face sufYused
with bushes. II scarcely know how to
begin. 1-when we landed yesterday
some people, friends of Mrs. Comyns,
met her, and when they were gone I
learnt from her that there was little
excitement about me, and--it was very
foolish of them-thcy wished to SEQ
what I was like. They told her you
knew nothing about me, and spirit of
mischief entered our heads, we deter
mined to play little joke on you, and
pass off Sunda here" drawing the sln1l-
ing black maid forward, "as me. It
was very, very wrong, but I hope you
will forgive u.s."
The general drew himself up stiffly, and
looked decidedly grim.
Il don't know what papa would say
it he knew how shockingly had treat
ed his old friend" continued the culprit.
her pretty head dropping gracefully;
but lhope-I do hope you will forgive
me-"
The general thawed. He took the
the little hand outstretched and pressed
1t warmly.
"Who could resist such q pleader ?"
ne replied calamity, the vision of lovli-
ness before him dispelling his wrath.
"But-then you were not-scolding-
your maid last night?"
mo, no." laughed the girl gayly :;
chat was part of my plot, wanted you
to think I was the most horrible crea-
ture in the world. Sunda acted that
scene all alone for your benefit"
"She was most successful" said tho
general, dryly; "but will be even with
you yet, Miss Dessa, for the trick you
have played upon me. I might have
known bruce Days daughter would
have had a good spice of mischief in her
composition. It is just the sort of thing
your father delighted to do when we
were boys together"
Dessa lifted her deep gray eyes to
his. "Then you have forgiven me?'
she said softly.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
The generals ward was q great sue
cess.